Kasi and Mtani celebrate Halloween in October 2011 with some pumpkins.Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa

At the start this odd couple only spent supervised play time together, but now, a year later, the two live together full-time at the park’s Cheetah Run habitat.

Kasi and Mtani hang out together every day at Busch Gardens Tampa.Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa

Though this is the first cub-puppy combo for Busch Gardens, it is not uncommon in the zoological community for a single cheetah to be raised with a canine companion.

“Male cheetahs are social and often live together in coalitions,” said Tim Smith, a zoo manager who works with the cheetah team daily. “This social bond will be a very similar relationship, and they will be together for life.”

Kasi and Mtsani were named by park fans via a Facebook poll.Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa

Kasi and Mtani spend their days playing, training, exercising, and even traveling to schools and events to highlight the plight of cheetahs in the wild and the importance of conservation efforts.

Park guests can see Kasi and Mtani daily at Cheetah Run in Busch Gardens Tampa.Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa

Kasi and Mtani help spread the word about conservation by going to schools and other events. There are only about 12,400 cheetahs left in the wild.Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa

Kasi and Mtani exercise with the habitat's lure system, designed to encourage the animals to do what cheetahs (and dogs) do best: run and chase!Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa

As funny a pair as these two may be, the park’s animal experts expect their friendship to last a lifetime!